This Will Be Pakistan’s best playing XI for the Asia Cup 2023, Take a look
The Asia Cup 2023 is an upcoming cricket competition that will take place later this year. Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal will compete in the tournament. These teams will compete against one another in a spectacular show of cricketing talent.
The showpiece event will be held from August 30 to September 17, with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) accepting the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) hybrid format for tournament organisation.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka will share hosting duties, with Sri Lanka hosting nine matches and Pakistan hosting four.
Pakistan's adventure in the competition will begin on August 30 with their first match against Nepal.
Pakistan, which is in Group A with India and Nepal, will be looking to improve on their performance from the last edition, in which they lost in the final to Sri Lanka. Pakistan, led by skipper Babar Azam, will compete for the coveted Asia Cup championship this time around.
Given the importance of the competition, Pakistan's strongest playing XI for the Asia Cup 2023 will most likely be carefully selected to balance batting and bowling strengths. Babar's leadership will be critical, and his team will strive to give a great collaborative effort in order to win.
Pakistan’s formidable starting lineup for the Asia Cup 2023
Top-Order Dynamism
The powerful opening pair of Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq will headline Pakistan's Asia Cup 2023 campaign. Fakhar's outstanding performance in 2023, with 520 runs at an amazing average of 74.28, three hundreds, including a magnificent unbeaten 180-run innings, cements his position as a major asset in limited-overs cricket. Meanwhile, Imam's consistent contributions of 191 runs in 5 matches at an average of 38.20, combined with his proclivity for scoring quick T20 half-centuries, place him as a key component of Pakistan's top order.
These two left-handed starters have the ability to control the early momentum and set the tone for the innings to come.
Middle-Order Prowess
Babar Azam, the captain and an excellent batsman, is at the heart of Pakistan's batting lineup. Babar has an incredible 425 runs in 8 ODIs this year, with an average of 53.12 with one century and four half-centuries.
His leadership and unrivalled batting abilities provide the team with stability and assurance. Iftikhar Ahmed, batting at number four, emerges as a formidable middle-order hitter and spin bowling option. Iftikhar's recent efforts, which include a scorching unbeaten 94-run stint among his 122 runs in just two One-Day Internationals, highlight his significance as a batting all-rounder.
While Mohammad Rizwan provides a quality wicketkeeping option and depth to the lineup with 343 runs at 68.60. This mix of steady and aggressive hitters results in a well-balanced and strong middle order.
All-Round Prowess and Bowling Depth
Pakistan's vice-captain and spin all-rounder Shadab Khan takes on the critical job of completing matches and contributing with both bat and leg-spin bowling. His 35 runs and three wickets in three One-Day Internationals this year demonstrate his versatility.
The ability of Faheem Ashraf to flourish with both the bat and medium-fast bowling adds depth to the lower middle order.
Furthermore, the inclusion of Mohammad Nawaz, who has taken 6 wickets in 6 ODIs this year while demonstrating his ability to score crucial runs, strengthens the spin department.
Pace Attack and Emerging Talent
Pakistan's fast-bowling attack is led by left-arm bowler Shaheen Afridi, who has eight wickets in four One-Day Internationals at an average of 24.50. As an important opening bowler, he delivers early breakthroughs and mastery of death bowling.
Haris Rauf adds raw speed to the pace attack, having taken 10 wickets at an average of 36.76 and bringing the potential for game-changing performances. Naseem Shah completes the fast bowling trio, having made an impression in his rookie year with 13 wickets in 5 ODIs at an average of 18.07.
As Pakistan's leading ODI wicket-taker this year, Shah exemplifies growing talent and wicket-taking prowess.
Pakistan's gathered XI represents the country's goal of a harmonious balance of power, finesse, and versatility in order to shine in the Asia Cup 2023 and compete for the coveted championship title.
Pakistan’s best XI for the Asia Cup 2023:
Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan (vc), Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah.
Pakistan’s ODI squad for the Asia Cup 2023:
Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim